Dear Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3, Please Don’t Bring Back Garcia’s Most Problematic Plot

Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 has kept Penelope Garcia on the sidelines, but “Hell is Empty…” implied her worst subplot may be returning. Kirsten Vangsness’ technical analyst has been a staple of the series since it began, remaining as one of only two original BAU members (the other being A.J. Cook’s Jennifer “JJ” Jareau). Though Penelope quit her job with the FBI in the season 15 finale, she reappears in the first episode of the 2022 revival and effectively continues her work as if nothing ever happened. Since then, she’s returned to being a core member of the BAU.

Vangsness is one of many familiar names in the Criminal Minds: Evolution cast of characters, joining original series cast members like Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss), Joe Mantegna (David Rossi), Aisha Tyler (Tara Lewis), and Adam Rodriguez (Luke Alvez). The continuation also introduced new characters, with one joining the BAU: Ryan-James Hatanaka’s Tyler Green. Since season 1, Tyler Green’s presence in Criminal Minds: Evolution has been divisive, as has his relationship with Penelope. Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 has done everything in its power to make him a part of the team, but Tyler’s role in Penelope’s life remains complicated.

Penelope Teams Up With Tyler To Visit Voit In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3, Episode 6

The BAU Rookie Finally Got Answers From The Resident Serial Killer

Since his introduction, Tyler’s character has been tethered to a prolific serial killer named Elias Voit (Zach Gilford), also known as Sicarius. Voit dated and later killed Tyler’s sister, Alison, a crime which Tyler obsessively investigated for over a decade. Tyler even infiltrated the Sicarius network of potential serial killers, hoping to lure Voit into a trap. The BAU interrupts his plan, leaving Tyler to begrudgingly join the FBI’s investigation and help them track down Voit. During the climactic end of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1, Voit recognizes Tyler, goads him into lowering his guard, and shoots him.

Needless to say, Voit and Tyler have had a tense relationship that was never given complete resolution. Now, Voit’s amnesia in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 complicates everything. With a suddenly functioning empathy center in his brain, Voit has been consumed by guilt and remorse every time he remembers his past atrocities, including Alison’s murder. The BAU hopes to use Voit’s newfound humanity to their benefit, and Tyler volunteers to interrogate him in “Hell is Empty…” Though Penelope expresses her disapproval, she eventually relents on the condition that she joins him to investigate.

In Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3, episode 6, Penelope joins Tyler to confront Voit about his memories while attempting to keep the peace, only for the rookie to completely disregard her warnings. Tyler asks Voit about Alison’s death, and Voit— now a proponent of honesty— explains everything. Voit targeted Tyler’s sister because her compassionate nature reminded him of his mother, and he hoped he could learn to be normal if he fell in love with her. When she couldn’t replace his violent urges, Voit gave into his compulsion and brutally murdered her. Voit’s contrition is lost on Tyler, who emotionally storms out.

Penelope & Tyler’s Unresolved Love Plot Could Be Revisited Now That Tyler Is A BAU Member

Their Previous Obstacles Are Practically Obsolete

Penelope’s concern for Tyler’s well-being goes beyond professional camaraderie, however. After he is released from the FBI’s custody in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1, Tyler and Penelope explore a sexual relationship. Penelope even goes against Emily’s direct orders as her superior by continuing to see Tyler in secret until the season 1 finale, when she finally breaks up with him. Soon after, Tyler becomes an official consultant for the FBI, and his proximity— coupled with his hostile interactions with Luke— results in Criminal Minds: Evolution’s divisive love triangle plot throughout season 2.

Though Penelope and Tyler have stayed single since their abrupt breakup, moments from season 2 and season 3 imply there are still feelings present on both sides. Penelope was extremely jealous when Tyler’s ex-girlfriend appeared in season 2, though she was only there to aid in the investigation. When Tyler officially joins the BAU in season 3 and calls Penelope for information, they engage in light, flirtatious banter. Every interaction Penelope and Tyler have is saturated in tension, making their unresolved romance seem inevitable. Nevertheless, their new status as coworkers makes their relationship more possible and less plausible.

Why Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Shouldn’t Bother Revisiting Penelope & Tyler Romance

It Would Only Take Up Valuable Space

While it would be easier for Penelope and Tyler to pursue a serious relationship now that they’re both stationed at the BAU for the foreseeable future, Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 should avoid reviving their love plot. Luke and Tyler’s relationship in Criminal Minds: Evolution has finally been repaired and transformed into a teasing yet respectful sense of solidarity. The crime drama has also noticeably kept Penelope and Luke far away from each other, which implies Criminal Minds: Evolution has given up on their romance, but Tyler shouldn’t become Penelope’s de facto love interest just because he now lacks competition.

Additionally, from a pragmatic perspective, it simply doesn’t make sense for Criminal Minds: Evolution to return to their relationship so late into season 3— nor does it seem logical for the crime drama to relegate an entire subplot to Penelope and Tyler’s relationship. Since the revival began, each season has been a mere 10 episodes, leaving no room for unnecessary or unproductive storylines. There are still moments that add personality and levity, like Tara’s humorous jealousy over Rebecca Wilson’s (Nicole Pacent) old friend in “Hell is Empty…”, but Criminal Minds: Evolution has been rightfully fastidious about season-long subplots.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Is Better Off With Penelope & Tyler As Friends

The Team Needs A More Stable Dynamic

Furthermore, Penelope and Tyler’s romance seems fruitless even beyond season 3. The team dynamic in Criminal Minds: Evolution is already volatile after the death of JJ’s husband and her subsequent instability, meaning an interoffice relationship would only rock the boat further. Plus, Penelope hasn’t been given many individual storylines since she returned to the BAU, and it would be an affront to her character if her sole plot revolved around falling in love. There’s a case to be made for a potential slow-burn or a romance that organically builds, but the BAU’s small size leaves no margin for error.

Currently, there’s no room in the narrative to build the foundation for Penelope and Tyler’s relationship— and, without it, no way to make the audience root for them as a couple. It would be more beneficial for Criminal Minds: Evolution to focus on strengthening their professional and platonic bond, which would help bolster the BAU as a team during such tumultuous times. Perhaps Criminal Minds: Evolution will make Penelope the unofficial main character of season 4 (like JJ in season 3, Emily in season 2, and Rossi in season 1), but as it stands, Tyler isn’t worth the risk.